Author's note: thanks for the reviews and follows they made my day as always. Crazy August has left us so I hope to be updating more often. I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Jane holds his breath as he steps down from the vehicle. Not being a bomb expert he's not sure how sensitive it is to being jarred but then his captors don't seem too worried so he's probably okay. Once he's out the car he's grabbed by the collar and he feels a gun in his back, as if a bomb isn't enough of a compliance incentive. The rest rush ahead. Jane begins to take notice of his surroundings and he's in a shopping mall. they enter a store just two units from the entrance. There is panic and weeping and he can smell the fear. His personal guard makes an annoucement.
"See this man here? He has a bomb attached to him. One false move and it will be detonated, and I can promise you, he won't be me he's standing next to."
The robbers quickly fill their bags with the contents of the store and Jane is soon being pushed outside and back into the vehicle. He's blindfolded and the bomb is removed and handcuffs are snapped back in place. He leans back against the side of the vehicle and feels relief that he made it through this time. The task of trying to make sense of what's going on, and why they chose to rob a jewellery store this time, he will leave until he's back in his cell.
At the CBI Van Pelt is searching the internet trying to find a connection between the eagle tattoo and a bald man. She has been at it for hours, A fruitless search, more than likely, but it's the only lead they have. Cho and Rigsby are going through the security footage frame by frame, hoping to find some other clues to the identity of the robbers. It's mind numbing work, but each is acutley aware of what it could mean to Jane's safety. Lisbon is in her office reading the reports that Robbery division have compiled, hoping to find something they've missed. She tries to put out of her mind the image of Jane being used as a human bomb. She understands, all to well, the terror that was on his face. When it happened to her, Jane stood by her and supported her and helped keep her calm and was instrumental in getting her out of the mess. Jane is on his own, and at the mercy of a number of men, whose objectives are unclear. There's a knock on the door, her heart jumps in her chest at the hope of a lead from her team.
"Come in."
She's looks up and is surprised to see Tom Needham, he waves a disc at her.
"There's been another one."
"Was Jane there?"
Tom nods.
Lisbon stands up and they both move to the bullpen.
"There's been another one. Grace, Tom has some more footage for us to look at."
Van Pelt puts the disc into her computer and everyone gathers round. They watch in silence. Lisbon looks closely when Jane comes in to view, she fills with a strange sense of relief to see that he's still alive. He looks okay too. His captors seem to be treating him well except, for the bomb strapped around his waist and it looks like he may have lost a little weight. After being convinced of Jane's well-being, the place of the robbery comes more into focus and she realises it looks familiar.
"Where is this taking place?"
"Stratam Jewellers. It's in that mall that just opened a couple of week ago. It's two doors in..."
"...from the east entrance."
Tom looks at Lisbon.
"You know the place?"
"I was there, at the weekend. My watch needed repairing and they will do it while you wait."
Rigsby speaks up.
"Hey boss, wasn't the last place where you do your banking?"
"Yes"
Lisbon feels a dread come over her, that possibly Jane is in this situation because of her. She realises that Cho is speaking:
"That's a big coincidence boss and we know about coincidences."
"What's that?"
Tom asks, Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt answer together:
"There's no such thing as coincidences."
Jane is led back to his cell and he can't resist asking the question that as been going over and over in his mind.
"Why rob a jewellery store? It's very unusual for thieves to change venues, it increases the risk. Plus jewels require fences and are much harder to get rid of."
"All interesting questions Mr. Jane and they will help fill your time. Unusual is the word."
His captor punctuates his point with a blow to Jane's stomach, which doubles him over.
"That's quite a punch you have."
"Just remember that Mr. Jane and we'll get along very well."
Jane collapses on the floor and watches as his assailant leaves the room. He sits with his back against the wall and affords himself a small smile through the pain.
Contact established.
His assailant meanwhile is being berated by his colleagues.
"You're not suppose to hurt him or make any meaningful contact with him. He may look harmless but boss says he's a very clever man who will ensnare us and have us locked up tight before we even know that there's a problem.
"He seems an unnecessary risk to me. The sooner we're rid of him the better. We're professionals, not babysitters!"
"And we're getting paid very well for it too. Be patient, soon we won't need him anymore and I know you'll enjoy taking care of him."